Trump administration considers citizenship checks at banks amid immigration enforcement

Wednesday 25 February 2026 - 12:45

By: Sahili Aya

Trump administration considers citizenship checks at banks amid immigration enforcement

The Trump administration is reportedly exploring measures that could require U.S. banks to collect citizenship information from their customers as part of its ongoing crackdown on unauthorized immigration. Sources told the Wall Street Journal that Treasury Department officials have discussed steps that could instruct banks to request additional documentation, such as passports, when opening or maintaining accounts.

While banks are already required under existing "know-your-customer" rules to collect identifying information such as names, addresses, dates of birth, and tax identification numbers, they are not specifically mandated to verify citizenship status. Likewise, banks do not routinely share citizenship data with federal authorities. The proposed policy would represent an unprecedented expansion of federal oversight into the banking sector.

Some lawmakers, including Tom Cotton, have expressed support for the measure. Cotton has argued that the American banking system “is a privilege that should be reserved for those who respect our laws and sovereignty” and called on Treasury officials to implement safeguards against illegal migrants accessing bank accounts.

Industry observers have raised concerns about operational burdens and legal risks for banks if new citizenship documentation requirements are imposed on millions of customers. One option under discussion is directing the Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network to collect the information, rather than placing the entire burden on individual banks.

White House sources emphasize that any potential executive order is still under consideration and has not yet been approved, but the proposal underscores the administration’s ongoing focus on immigration enforcement and its potential intersections with financial regulation.